In a recent production by Joburg Ballet, choreographer Dane Hurst has taken audiences on a thrilling journey through different styles and genres. The show, titled "Communion of Light," features an eclectic mix of pieces that cater to various tastes.
The evening begins with "Concerto for Charlie" by Veronica Paeper, a 1979 work named after Revlon's famous perfume. While the performance itself is rooted in twee neo-classicism and may appear dated at first glance, it boasts certain knowingness among the dancers that makes it grow on viewers. Hurst also contributed to the program with "Resonance," a piece that seamlessly blends jazz and ballet while tackling themes of racial antagonism and harmony.
The mixed bill also includes a contemporary piece by Jorge Pérez Martínez, set to Spanish guitar and showcasing dancer Monike Cristina's impressive talents. Additionally, Tumelo Lakana delivers an intriguing and poignant vignette, in which he pays tribute to his ancestors through traditional South African steps performed while wearing pointe shoes.
The standout performance of the evening belongs to Dada Masilo's "Salomé," a piece from the late artist's final repertoire. The urgent energy of Hurst's dancers feels like a long-awaited breath of fresh air, particularly in the scene featuring Revil Yon's John the Baptist. Latoya Mokoena shines as Salomé, conveying the complexities of seduction and power with conviction. The dramatic beats are spot-on, and the devastating finale when Salomé confronts reality is both poignant and heartbreaking.
The loss of Dada Masilo serves as a sobering reminder that "Communion of Light" will not be replicated anytime soon. However, it's heartening to see Hurst leading Joburg Ballet into an uncertain future, filled with promise and potential for innovation.
The evening begins with "Concerto for Charlie" by Veronica Paeper, a 1979 work named after Revlon's famous perfume. While the performance itself is rooted in twee neo-classicism and may appear dated at first glance, it boasts certain knowingness among the dancers that makes it grow on viewers. Hurst also contributed to the program with "Resonance," a piece that seamlessly blends jazz and ballet while tackling themes of racial antagonism and harmony.
The mixed bill also includes a contemporary piece by Jorge Pérez Martínez, set to Spanish guitar and showcasing dancer Monike Cristina's impressive talents. Additionally, Tumelo Lakana delivers an intriguing and poignant vignette, in which he pays tribute to his ancestors through traditional South African steps performed while wearing pointe shoes.
The standout performance of the evening belongs to Dada Masilo's "Salomé," a piece from the late artist's final repertoire. The urgent energy of Hurst's dancers feels like a long-awaited breath of fresh air, particularly in the scene featuring Revil Yon's John the Baptist. Latoya Mokoena shines as Salomé, conveying the complexities of seduction and power with conviction. The dramatic beats are spot-on, and the devastating finale when Salomé confronts reality is both poignant and heartbreaking.
The loss of Dada Masilo serves as a sobering reminder that "Communion of Light" will not be replicated anytime soon. However, it's heartening to see Hurst leading Joburg Ballet into an uncertain future, filled with promise and potential for innovation.
the part where salome confronts reality gave me chills i felt like i was right there with her, it was so intense! but what really got me was that dan hurst is making this show in memory of dada masilo its like he's taking on this huge responsibility to carry her legacy forward and make sure she's not forgotten 
. I think what really stood out was how Dane Hurst managed to blend different styles and genres in a way that felt cohesive and modern. The use of "Concerto for Charlie" might seem dated at first, but it added a layer of depth to the performance. I loved how they incorporated traditional South African steps into the show, it was such a unique touch 
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. The way Latoya Mokoena brought Salomé to life was so convincing and powerful. It's heartbreaking that we'll never get to see more of Dada Masilo's work, but I'm excited to see where the Joburg Ballet will go from here 
... I was floating above a beach at sunset, and all these seagulls were flying in perfect sync 
. It was so vivid! Anyway, back to the show - I loved how they mixed genres, it's like they took all this beautiful music and just let it flow on stage 
... did you know that seagulls are super intelligent? They can even recognize themselves in mirrors 
. And speaking of mirrors, have you seen those new virtual reality experiences that let you explore your own reflection? Mind-blowing!
but seriously "Salomé" was giving me all the feels 
I know Dada Masilo is no longer with us, but it's so cool that Joburg Ballet is keeping her legacy alive 
and Dane Hurst seems like a total visionary 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to experience a fusion of jazz, ballet, and traditional South African steps all under one roof? It's like the choreographers took all these different threads and wove them together into this beautiful tapestry of movement 
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. And can we talk about the theme of racial antagonism in "Resonance"? So relevant and thought-provoking 
. I'm definitely going to be thinking about this show for weeks to come 
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. And don't even get me started on the whole "tasting various tastes" thing - sounds like they're trying to cater to every single audience member's bland preferences 
. It's just so... predictable.
from "Concerto for Charlie" to "Salomé", the energy in that last piece was giving me CHILLS 
. Dada Masilo's 'Salomé' is definitely a showstopper 
. It's a shame we won't get to see more of her work after Masilo's passing, but it's reassuring to know Joburg Ballet is in good hands with Dane Hurst at the helm 
. I love how he mixed styles and genres, it was like a rollercoaster ride of emotions 
. The pointe shoes with traditional South African steps? Mind blown 
. But I'm excited to see where Joburg Ballet goes from here, all hail innovation! 
after all those years of watching old videos of Maya Plisetskaya on YouTube 
. I mean, Dane Hurst's choreography reminds me of the likes of Twyla Tharp back in the day 
. I'm just glad that Joburg Ballet is pushing boundaries and doing their own thang 
. It's gonna be a wild ride, but I'm hyped to see what they come up with next... 
The way Dane Hurst weaves together disparate styles and genres in "Communion of Light" is like a microcosm of life itself – full of unexpected twists and turns. I mean, you've got this twee neo-classicism from Veronica Paeper's "Concerto for Charlie," which on the surface seems like a relic of the past, but then you add Hurst's bold take on jazz and ballet in "Resonance." It's like he's forcing us to confront our own biases and contradictions. And can we talk about how Dada Masilo's "Salomé" takes that same theme of tension and release, turning it into this intense, emotional rollercoaster? 
The thing is, "Communion of Light" isn't just a show – it's an invitation to explore our own complexities and search for connection in a world that often feels like it's tearing us apart. 
that's gotta be some serious innovation right there...
Monike Cristina's performance was straight fire 
... still can't believe she passed away. But it's cool to see Hurst carrying the torch forward with all that passion & creativity 
anyway I guess the ballet part sounds cool but I don't really get what all the fuss is about... did they have any snacks at the show? 
and btw why do people wear pointe shoes when doing traditional South African steps? isn't that just gonna hurt their feet? 
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. While it's bittersweet to acknowledge Dada Masilo's absence from this production, it's heartening to see the company pushing boundaries and exploring new possibilities